Saturday, September 28, 2013

PR12e11 •Next Generation• 26 September 2013

Last week on Project Runway eight lucky super-fans became the models for a real woman challenge. Oh, and Heidi celebrated an Emmy win with an early Halloween costume. (But I thought red shirts died, that can't be good, huh?)

Helen won with her pixied Anne Hathaway at the Oscars look.

Ken was eliminated for misplaced lines, a poor fabric choice and substandard construction. The client was an awesome model, though, just like the rest of them. Don't you want MORE real women challenges?

It's morning at The Refinery Hotel and Alexander is confused as to which show he is on.

You're hanging by a thread. Help! My leg won't reach the ground!

Dom and Helen both think there will be more than one eliminated soon. Ah, they can do math. Kate thinks that Helen is the one to beat. Alexandria is getting the Ben Chmura edit. I guarantee you that whatever happens, she places 4th out of 7 this episode. She may not even get a line in! Just like Sugar and Joe — but I am getting ahead of myself. Hmmm, maybe she's just off-set consoling the recently eliminated Ken.

Over at the Parsons work room Rob Le Bras-Brown (That's kinda sorta French for Rob Brown Arm, eh?) and Tim introduce the HP textile challenge. Bradon and Dom are excited. Tim and his friend explain that the inspiration for this challenge will be seven "Next Generation" innovators. The winner will get some pretty sweet HP hardware, too.

Helen chooses artist Ryan Keeley, then Kate selects ''Girls Who Code'' software developer Maria Gonzalez. Justin takes Nana Meriwether, Miss USA 2012, and Bradon grabs professional BMX rid'er Nigel Sylvester. Alexander snatches up hot man executive pastry chef Thiago Silva, Alexandria has graphic designer Ilana Greenberg and Dom gets Premal Shah, cofounder of kiva.org. Right on the spot, each goes to visit their muse first hand. The muses seem to not only have a vision, but also gives back in the form of youth mentorships, funding, etc.

The designers go back to the work room and create their fabric patterns, which are to be inspired by the next generation muses. Thank God it isn't a miss like season 9 (all B&W) but some do look more interesting and believable than others. I think to myself, it's not what one has, it's how one uses it. I'm not fully convinced, though.

Over at Mood Tim is encouraging the designers to spend their money, well past the suggested $100. In weeks past they have mostly held back. Kate is shown spending over $250. Wait, $100 at Mood on the textile challenge? That's kind of high, for the textile challenge, yes? Must do some research …

That's it? It's not *really* a two day challenge? On day one they designed their fabric, and obtained everything else they needed from Mood, but no actual construction. On day two, construction day, Helen is still questioning everyone on her look.

On the Tim-thru ...

Gee that's enthusiastic!

It's just that I miss Ken so much.

Wha?

I even made him a cake.

Tim is crazy about Dom's print. He loves her sleeves, which she is questioning. Bradon's textile design is deemed beautiful. Tim is perplexed times two over his USE of it, though. The dark vaginal area is scaring me. Or, scarring me. Could be both.

Helen tells Tim she is awful. Tim has to tell her that she has to use the print that she made. Maybe if you cry some more it will get better, eh?

Alexandria is using the textile on the skirt. Hey, they let her out to play for a moment! Tim tells her to work on the vest OR the shirt, not both. Alexander explains his pattern, and that he likes the clerical look. Project Nunway? Papal chic?

It works for us.

As Tim leaves, he says they are all thinking too hard.

I'm gonna be like a worried Dad all night.

Alexandria doesn't understand Helen's need to cry all the time. She says she needs her hand held every single challenge. Wow, two lines for Alexandria.

Oh, that's right, new Glee tonight. Which member of the choir won't be on the episode? No, that wasn't a crack at Corey. I mean, during the last season, at least one cast member was missing every episode. (Answer, no dread-head Joe, no rich girl can't sing Sugar, right?)

Dom's model and Bradon's model are in love with their designer's creations. Oooh, nice Johnny LaVoy and Scott Patric sightings. I still miss Collier Strong.

Just let it go, honey.

Joining Heidi, Zac, Nina and nonjudging Tim is designer Peter Som.

Bradon McDonald

Justin LeBlanc

Kate Pankoke

Alexander Pope

Dom Streater

Alexandria Von Bromssen

Helen Castillo

Heidi calls out Alexandria as safe and is sent to the waiting room out back. What did I predict?

Zac proclaims Dom's work "runway ready" and "amazing." None of the judges have anything bad to say.

Justin explains he wanted "love" to be in the garment he made (using the sign.) Heidi calls the plain bottom hard to look at. Peter Som says it needs therapy. The judges don't mind or even like the bodice, it's the bottom portion that is offensive.

Zac calls it a cult leader and a landing strip. Peter likes the silhouette, but not the fabric or pattern. Nina likes the print itself, but not how it was used. It is too serious, it should have been light.

Helen's print gets approval from Heidi. The fit isn't perfect, but the judges like the print, and especially that she cut it into 2 pieces.

Kate explains her idea and Nina blurts out, "Oh, *God!*" She hates the 5 pleated gussets and the belt. Peter calls her out on hiding the print, and Heidi calls it ugly. Zac says it is so different from her other work. Does he mean her construction isn't always this bad, or that her point of view shifted? Maybe both.

Kate and Justin are crying so much. Alexander seems composed, he thinks he is staying.

Dom is proclaimed the winner. This is her second weekly win. Bradon is in, as is Helen.

Alexander walks Kate out to the work room where they get their final edit.

Did you see the double elimination coming? I read a spoiler (C'était très stupide, non?) so I knew going into it. But even if I hadn't, I can do simple math. Okay, I'll give this to you: HK *does* have a reputation for saying 'one or more of you' a bit too much to ever believe her.

So, who do you want to win the whole thing? Who do you THINK will win?

I think they got it right, but it's still hard. I liked Kate & Alexander. I'm assuming Alexandria and Justin will get eliminated and that Bradon, Helen and Dom will be the final three.

Next week I'm sure to be featured more prominently.

With only five of us, every one of us is guaranteed a top 3 or bottom 3 position.

You know what? One of us will be lucky enough to be in BOTH groups.

Ooooooooh!

Turn in next week when the judges love the designers' work. Wait, did PR finally jump the shark? They NEVER like anything on the last regular challenge!

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Face Off s5e07 •Living Art• 24 September 2013

Last time on Face Off Roy won immunity during an ever rare Foundation Challenge (create a makeup around a denture prosthetic) which he didn't need for the Spotlight Challenge: to reinterpret a typical Halloween costume into an original creature of the night.

I haven't got the will to try and fight.

They also had to incorporate a 'trick' of some sort, as in glowing eyes or dripping blood, or the like.

In the top were Tate, Roy and Laney. Tate's skeleton won him a 2nd Spotlight Challenge.

Bottom dwellers were Scott, Lyma and Alana. Lyma's vampire ended her time on Face Off.

So, that leaves us with three newcomers and six veterans. If we go by previous season five episodes, Scott is due for removal, with probably Eddie next. Scott has been in the bottom three the last three main challenges. Eddie has been in the bottom twice all season. All others have been in the bottom once or never.

It's morning in L.A. and Laura & Scott are musing at a table outside. Did you ever notice that Laura gets an edit like this nearly every episode? (Alana has had a few, too.) So, are you willing to go out on a limb with me and say Laura wins the Spotlight Challenge and Scott gets axed? Nah, that would be too cruel and obvious, eh? Scott complaining about his age can't be good, though.

With age comes wisdom, young man.

And, I'm NOT dead yet!

No Koi or cat sightings. =o(

Hey! We've got a Foundation (mini) Challenge for a 2nd week in a row! They are to create a new take on … Elvira, and Miss Cassandra is there to judge! The contestants are all giddy over meeting her, rightly so.

Roy and Tate are the top two. Roy wins makeup and immunity (didn't he just win immunity last week?) for his "Elmira" bat-inspired mistress of the dark.

The next day the contestants meet at the Pacific Design Center, in a gallery, si? Neville Page and McKenzie Westmore reveal the Spotlight Challenge: Use a movement in art history, and create a character to live within it. This is an individual challenge, not a team challenge.

Mr. P. states that it has to feel like a piece of living art. Alana picks Constructivism even though she knows little about it. Why? Laney, Eddie and Laura know *exactly* what they want.

In the work room, Miranda, once again, is questioning her ideas. She relies on Tate to affirm her sculpt. She hugs Alana when she shares her grief over picking poorly.

Mr. Westmore where are you?

Oh, she is SO lucky, the W's come in on the first day! Scott is told his surrealistic father inspiration is a bit busy. Mr. W. tells Roy to work on the shading on his head. He doesn't mind Alana's work thus far, but she has to get rid of the 'human' features. Eddie's inspiration is Van Gogh's "Starry Starry Night" (cue Don Mclean in G) but he is using red, not a deep, dark blue? That's all the mentor moments we get.

Frank is able to get to molding first. Laura interviews that they can't think of this challenge in a typical manner, but as a work of art.

Meanwhile, Miranda is asking Frank to make her decisions. How does she decide what to eat for breakfast? Or choose between chocolate & vanilla?

Tate makes a gigantic mold, and when he goes to separate it, he damages his hand, and blood is everywhere. The on set medic sends him right over to urgent care. Uh-oh!

Roy and Laura decide to help him, and clean his mold while Tate is away. Soon everyone is helping out in some manner.

It's very refreshing to know that people do care.But only about Tate's blood & broken bones,not about Miranda's insecurities about sculpting.

Laney can't open her mold. Ah, we see the tape she has to separate the two sides, and the mystery of why no "Pam" is revealed.

Tate is back, 13 stitches later,

Hey, stitches are nothing to laugh at.

Oh, just suck it up!

Um, uh-huh. At any rate Tate seems unfazed. He interviews that it's a calamity, but he is working and focused. Oy.

He mentions he can't use his left hand … as the camera shows him USING HIS LEFT HAND. Oy II.

When the models come in, it's a normal frenzy. During the last hour Alana is freaking out, she surely won't finish the painting. Hey, did you ever notice how Laney is uber-focused? She does a lot, and doesn't complain, she *just* works. Nice. Okay, I want Laney to win now. I mean for the season. I do think it is between Laura and Tate, but I like that Laney is so committed to excellence. Miranda is talented enough to win, but her brain will explode whenever Tate tires of holding her hand, don't ya think?

How do they do? For the most part they create looks that embody the art movement they chose. Take a look:

Scott's volcano doesn't translate. Ve and Glenn don't see it at all. It looks more like a tree stump.

Laney is admired for nailing the style and art movement. She went above and beyond, creating a particular character. Ve sees too much red. (Again?)

After deliberation, Miranda,

Laney

and Laura are declared the top three.

Laura wins, for a second time this season. The top 3 are sent out back to the makeup room.

Bottom three are Tate,

Eddie

and Scott.

Scott is out for his execution.

So, now we have six veterans and only two newcomers (Laney and Eddie) to vie for the season five win. Who do you think it will be? Is my guess of a final three of Laney, Laura and Tate reasonable? That's a prediction, not a wish list.